Empowering High Schoolers Toolkit: Taking Ownership Over Future Planning

High school students' understanding of the connection between decisions they make in high school and the opportunities available to them upon graduation falls along a broad spectrum. Many students are keenly aware that their decisions now are tightly connected to their future. Others seem oblivious to the connection between choices and opportunities, believing that high school does not matter because they expect a full reset of options upon adulthood.

Well-meaning counselors, educators, and family members regularly remind students of the importance of working hard, making good choices, and preparing for their postsecondary life.

Despite these frequent reminders, students are rarely provided a tangible, clear roadmap for what to do, when to do it, and how different factors and decision points fit together to get them to their desired postsecondary destination.

This toolkit provides resources that can be shared with students to help give them a clear path of the important action steps, decision points, and questions to consider along their high school journey.

Topics Covered:

• College and Career Checklists by Grade Level
• Questions For Students To Consider When Future Planning By Grade Level
• Term Glossary For Students
• Best Practices & Tips for Supporting Students in their Future Planning